Los Angeles Clippers (6-10) at Seattle (3-15)

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., KeyArena

Television: FSN. Radio: 770-AM

Series: Seattle lost the first meeting this season, 115-101, in Los Angeles.

Scouting the Clippers: Los Angeles will be playing the second of back-to-back games after facing Milwaukee – Seattle’s opponent Friday – in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. The Bucks posted an 87-78 win.

The Clippers lost their sixth consecutive game, letting a 15-point lead slip away in a fourth-quarter collapse to another struggling team. With the win, the Bucks snapped a four-game losing streak.

"We just suck right now, pretty much," a frustrated Chris Kaman told the Los Angeles Daily News. "We lost six in a row, pretty much, we just suck right now. We have to dig ourselves out of this hole, and I can't tell you one thing that will do it. It's a lot of things."

With Elton Brand out until at least February after having surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon, Kaman has had a breakout season. Kaman is third in the NBA in rebounds (13.9 per game), fourth in blocks (2.9 per game) and tied for third in double-doubles (12). Kaman averages 18.3 points a contest

“I always thought he was a good player, but I think he’s about to go to the next level,” Carlesimo said. “He’s putting up numbers and he’s sustaining them.”

Gonzaga graduate Dan Dickau has received more playing time lately for the Clippers with starting guard Sam Cassell out with a strained left calf. Dickau played eight minutes Tuesday.

Scouting the Sonics: Seattle will try and rebound from a deflating, 109-96 loss to Golden State on Sunday.
The Sonics should get a boost from the return of Nick Collision, who has missed the last three games recovering from a broken nose suffered after taking a hard shot from the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.

Collison will have to wear a protective mask, but will give Seattle a boost tonight inside if he can go.

However, the Sonics are thin at point guard because Delonte West can’t play. West missed the tail end of practice with a bruised right heal. Earl Watson will start and Mickael Gelabale could see some time at point guard.

Carlesimo also said Luke Ridnour will practice on Thursday if cleared, and could see time on Friday against Milwaukee. Ridnour has been out since Nov. 13 with a partially torn left quad.

In an effort to keep Chris Wilcox fresh at the end of games, Carlesimo said he might limit his starting power forward’s minutes.

Wilcox is an energy player who relies on running the floor and playing aggressively inside. He has dealt with a couple nagging injuries of late.

Wilcox is averaging 15.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 30.1 minutes a game.

“I sometimes wonder if we don’t play him too many minutes,” Carlesimo said. “I know he’d like to play more minutes, but maybe 26 to 28 minutes at 150 percent is better for him than 32 minutes at 85 to 90 percent.”

Listen to Carlesimo's pregame conversation here.

Next: 7:30 p.m. Friday vs. Milwaukee, KeyArena.